New Texas
Aviation Economic Impact StudyThe Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study
is a joint effort, funded by the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and managed
by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).
This year-long study will quantify the economic
contributions from the 288 airports in the Texas
Airport System...(Read
more)

S3 is
officially observing a special milestone in 2018
for its wholly owned subsidiary, Kachemak Bay
Flying Service (KBFS). This year marks the
20th Anniversary of KBFS’s Part 145 Repair
Station at Temple Draughon-Miller Regional
Airport. (Read more) . . .

Have you ever
wondered what it takes to obtain a Commercial
Pilot rating?Here is one pilot's account of
what he went through.
(Read more) . . .

TEXAS AVIATORS
TXAA special author, Mike TrahanWe are in the process producing soon to be
released Audio-Book versions of my aviation
memoirs: The Gift - The
Beginning;The Gift - The Air Force Years;
The Gift - The Delta Years
(Read
more)

April 28,
2018
Pinch Hitter/Flying Companion course as part of
Critters Lodge Fly-in/Camp-out
The objective of this course is to introduce the
non-flying member of the family/friend to flying
an airplane. We discuss the possibility of the
pilot becoming incapacitated while in flight and
the need for the non-pilot to take control of
the airplane. (Read
more)

February 1,
2017BasicMed, Flying Without a MedicalBy Bill GunnAt the 2017 TXAA Annual Membership Meeting,
guest speaker Bill Gunn gave a presentation
summarizing the recent FAA final rule for the
3rd class medical flight in certain aircraft
under certain circumstances. In the most recent
issue of The Texas Flyer, Bill reviews
the new rule which affects thousands of pilots
... (read
more)

February 1,
2016
Texas A&M University and Purdue University
are jointly conducting research evaluating
the potential use of markings on runways to help
pilots make better takeoff and landing
decisions. These markings are intended for use
at general aviation airports on runways that are
4,200 feet long or less. As part of our
information gathering effort, we are asking
pilots to complete the survey identified in the
link . . . (read
more)

December 7,
2015Are you prepared to have an off field
landing? Here is a list of gear you might
consider along with a great article on how to
survive . . . (read
more).

August 25, 2015After long negotiations, a new FBO has
opened at the Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU).
"Every day, we are adding more amenities and
more services," said Ken Mabe, acting general
manager of GTU Jet ...
Read more

Piloting an aircraft is
hard, and like most hard
things, it takes a lot
of practice to stay
sharp. You’ve put in the
hours to get your
license and develop the
skills necessary for a
safe, smooth flight, and
now you need to maintain
that piloting prowess.

Just because you’re not
in the air, you don’t
need to stay out of the
cockpit. Flight Club
lets you experience all
the fun of flying, while
maintaining and
developing your skill
set on your own time,
without the expense of
renting a plane.

Our state-of-the-art
flight simulators are
perfect for pilots and
aviation enthusiasts of
any skill level that are
serious about building
their aviation acuity
through routine
practice.

December 10, 2012Would you take THE PLEDGEif it meant saving your life?
Your passengers lives? Your
family’s lives? TXAA Foundation,
Inc. is launching THE PLEDGE to
help reduce the accident rate
that plagues general aviation.
Read what you can do to lessen
the chance of having an accident
...
read more

Houston Executive Airport Announces Opening A
New Air Traffic Control TowerBROOKSHIRE, TX -- (September 3, 2014) –
Houston Executive Airport (HEA) has announced
the opening of a new air traffic control tower
beginning October 1, 2014 ...
read more

April 4, 2013
TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
APPROVES TXDOT FUNDING FOR AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES IN
TEXAS An
emergency meeting was held by
the TTC at 9:00 AM Thursday
morning the 4th of April at
their offices across from the
Capitol building in Austin,
Texas. Testimony was given by
Texas Department of
Transportation Aviation Division
Director David Fulton as well as
most of the airport
representatives affected by the
projected closure of contract
towers at 14 airports in
Texas....
read more

March 29, 2013TXDOT INTENDS TO FUND AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROL SERVICES IN
TEXAS TO ENSURE SAFETY FOR
FLYING PUBLIC
TXAA has received news that the
TxDOT Aviation Division will
fund operation of 13 contract
control towers in Texas. Airport
improvements for publically
owned Texas airports are funded
with both federal and state
funds. This use of state funds
is pending approval by the Texas
Transportation Commission. The
outlook is very positive. It is
most likely that each airport
sponsor will have to fund 10% of
the cost of operation with TxDOT
paying the other 90%. TXAA will
report back as soon as the final
details are worked out....read
more

March 4, 2013TXAA Safety Day and Fly-In
Back By Popular Demand!
Mark your calendars for May 11,
2013 at 10 AM - Skyport FBO -
San Marcos Municipal Airport (HYI)
. . .
read more

February 14, 2013Georgetown City Council Votes
Out Airport Advisory BoardDespite a rally call by TXAA
and after many pilots and
aviation enthusiasts packed the
Georgetown city council
chambers, the council voted on
Tuesday the 12th of February,
2013, to abolish the Georgetown
Airport Advisory Board ...
read more

November 2, 2012To the Pilots of Texas –
The City of Junction has
petitioned to change their dump
site near the airport to accept
putrescible waste. Experience
shows that this type waste
attracts animals and birds. This
dump site is only 2600 feet off
of the end of runway 17 at
Junction (JCT). The FAA, after
some delay, does not object to
this change as long as the waste
site is monitored by qualified
wildlife biologists and other
precautions are taken. The Texas
Commission on Environmental
Quality (TCEQ) has not yet
issued their decision on this
change. TXAA does not support
this proposed change. TXAA
will monitor this issue and post
more information when TCEQ moves
to the comment period on this
proposed change ...
read more and see photo

October 25, 2012
Today, Texas Governor Rick Perry
proclaimed November 2012 to be
Aviation Appreciation Month.
“General Aviation and related
activities generated $14.6
Billion in direct, indirect and
induced economic activity in the
state of Texas, representing
$580 in activity per capita.”
read more

October 24, 2012
The FAA has posted a NOTAM
announcing an upcoming TFR for
the Austin / Central Texas area
due to the upcoming F1 race to
be held SE of Austin on November
16-18 …
read more

October 3, 2012
ABIA release: Aircraft
reservations required at
Austin-Bergstrom Nov. 12-21,
2012AUSTIN, TEXAS –
Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport (KAUS) is requiring
reservations from aircraft
operators for airport use
November 12-21, 2012 for the
Formula 1 United States Grand
Prix event on Nov. 18. A heavy
volume of air traffic is
expected during this time so a
parking reservation system has
been established to insure that
ramp space will be available for
arriving aircraft. A Prior
Permission Required (PPR) number
will be needed for all aircraft
parking or dropping off
passengers ...
read more

August 24, 2012
Demand for corporate jets fuels
airport expansionsArticle courtesy "Austin
Business Journal”
General aviation, including
corporate planes, in Central
Texas is being energized due to
more companies and individuals
choosing private over commercial
flights. There are now more than
a dozen airports around Austin
for corporate fliers ...
read more

July 4, 2012
Major James Ray Stegall
James Ray Stegall was born
in Bullard, Texas on February 6,
1922. He died on June 18,
2012. In November
2007 he was inducted into the
Texas Aviation Hall of Fame,
recognizing his many acts of
bravery in defense of our
country and the State of Texas
...
read more

June 21, 2012
Medical Exemption Comments to
the FAA
The FAA is considering expanding
the type of flight operations
permitted without a medical
certificate. The comment period
expires on July 2, 2012.
TXAA supports this important
proposal. Make your comments NOW
before July 2, 2012. For an
explanation of the proposal and
how to comment go to:
www.aopa.org – “comments
make the case for medical
petition” (right side of the
home page) – see the link
“Docket FAA-2012-0350” at the
bottom of the page.

May 4, 2012

Texas Aviator Magazine to Debut
This SummerSan
Antonio, TX - White-Frisbie
Media, a Texas based company in
business for 12 years and
publisher for dozens of
magazines across the state, will
publish its newest magazine,
Texas Aviator, this summer. A
monthly magazine, Texas Aviator
will be distributed across the
state and will be available at
most Texas bookstores, airports,
FBO's throughout Texas and will
be mailed directly to Texas
pilots free of charge ...
read more

March 25, 2012

New
ADS-B Terminal Services Are
Available Now in TexasPilots who use the terminal
airspace listed can now receive
free traffic and weather
information in the cockpit. To
receive these services, aircraft
must be equipped with an
Automatic Dependent Surveillance
- Broadcast (ADS-B)
transmitter/receiver or
transceiver and a cockpit
display of traffic information (CDTI)
…
read more

June 27, 2011In a
face to face meeting, what
questions would you ask ATC?
The Texas Aviation Association,
along with the National Business
Aviation Association, has been
working with the FAA's regional
manager for controllers for all
of Texas south of the
Dallas/Fort Worth area, Mr. Greg
Motl.

In a special meeting on June 22,
2011, the TXAA board of
directors, NBAA representative
Steve Hadley, and corporate
pilots from Valero Energy met
with Greg. The great news is the
FAA's program to get pilots and
controllers together, including
FAM rides for controller and ATC
tours for pilots, is being
revitalized since its demise
after 9/11. In the
meeting, it was determined that
TXAA might sponsor a series of
meetings for pilots and
controllers to get together to
discuss the issues and
challenges facing general
aviation today in the National
Airspace System.

Now is your chance to
face-to-face with the folks on
the other end of that mic button
and ask the burning questions
and bring up the issues that you
want asked and answered!
To explore this possibility TXAA
is asking for your input - What
would you want to ask? Now is
your chance:

Email your questions and
comments for controllers to:
info@txaa.org
In the Subject Line write:
Pilots and Controllers

Questions for the controller: We
don't want to put any limits on
this but please consider the
controllers perspective - we are
asking for questions that are in
the area of the
pilot-to-controller
relationship. Thanks!

Stay tuned to TXAA as we
announce upcoming meetings where
you get to meet that voice on
the other end of the radio. TXAA
will sponsor meetings for all of
the state. Together, we
are working on getting
controllers and pilots together
to help communications and air
safety. Here is your chance to
"Ask A Controller."

Your TXAA Association at work
for you!

May 15, 2011
The new Austin Executive Airport
(KEDC) is open for business
as of midnight, Wednesday the
11th of May, 2011. Airport owner
Ron Henriksen and his staff have
worked diligently for the past
two years to transform the
former run-down Bird’s Nest
Airport into a state-of-the-art
facility complete with a new
6000+ ft. runway that has a GPS
approach, a new terminal
building and many new hangar
facilities. The location of the
airport is just north of Manor,
Texas on Hwy. 130 ...
read more

April 10, 2011

In
the spring of 2011, TxDOT safety
director Bill Gunn received an exclusive
tour of the new Supermarine Aircraft
Company factory located in Cisco,
Texas ...
read more

January 20, 2011Congress has passed lawstelling
the FAA to mandate aircraft owners to
re-register their aircraft. It is a very
complicated procedure. A PDF was created
by Bill Gunn of TxDOT Aviation to help
walk you through the procedure. Also, it
will not be a one time chore. Please
read immediately and pass it on ...
read more

January 7, 2011TXAA Announces Annual
Membership Meeting
Mark your calendars for January
19, 2011 at 6:00 PM. The venue
will be the Catfish Parlour on
4705 East Ben White (Hwy 71) in
Austin ...
read more

December 18, 2010
Battle of Britain comes to
Texas!
An established aviation business
is coming to Texas. The Cisco
Municipal Airport (3F2), just
west of Fort Worth, will soon
echo with the sounds of aircraft
kit construction. Michael
O'Sullivan, owner of Supermarine
Aircraft, has been making scale
Supermarine Spitfire fighters
for the last 20 years ...
read more

October 21, 2010New Texas Airport in
GoldthwaiteOften we hear of airport closures.
Seldom do we hear of a brand new airport
in Texas.
There is one coming in Goldthwaite,
Texas ...
read more

October 15, 2010Emma Carter Browning
Austin’s First Lady of Aviation
October 26, 1910 - April 23,
2010
Please join us for the
dedication of Emma Browning
Avenue Tuesday, October 26, 2010
at 10:00 a.m.
Austin-Bergstrom International
Airport
RSVP by October 21st
512-292-1194 or
friendsofemma@austin.rr.com
For additional details
see invitation with parking map
Read Emma Carter Browning's bio
Update October 26, 2010 from the
City of Austin Aviation
Department: "Austin's First Lady
of Aviation"
Emma Browning honored ...
details

September 30, 2010Master Instructors LLC takes
great pride in announcing a significant
aviation accomplishment on the part of
Kenneth F Wittekiend, the owner of
ProMark Aviation Services a TXAA
business member...
read more

August 19, 2010The Rebirth of a Terminal Building(Hud Hopkins, director of Scholes
International Airport at Galveston
writes to TXAA)
When the Scholes Airport terminal
building was erected in 1950, it was
consider state-of-the-art in the
terminal building design. During the
building's life span, small renovations
were completed, modernizing the layout
and changing the color scheme. However,
there has never been a complete makeover
restoring the terminal to its former
glory of the '50s. This changed when
Hurricane IKE blew in from the Gulf of
Mexico filling the entire bottom floor
of the terminal building with 9 feet of
water ...
read more